Timing and resetting apparatus



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TIMING AND RESETTING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 28, 1949 w X m IN VEN TOR.

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H M Mp4 H. K. RIXFORD El AL TIMING AND RESETTING APPARATUS March 17, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 28, 1949 JNVENTOR. Jdumr K. RIAIORD ALI? E. Roam-1, 00

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March 17, 1953 H. K. RIXFORD ETAL TIMING AND RESETTING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 28, 1949 huwum n n A INVENTOR. HENRY K. Rlxrokn fiLBER'r A. Rocxvyaon BY .Jncoa K. MRKI March 17, 1953 H. K. RIXFORD ETAL TIMING AND RESETTING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 28, 1949 BQQ mm x mm IN V EN TOR. .Hsmev ff; RIXFORD ALBERT E. P ocmyoon BY JR cos K. win/ 1 241M.

Patented Mar. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIMING AND RESETTING APPARATUS Application September 28, 1949, Serial No. 118,344

4 Claims.

1 This invention relates to apparatus designed for measuring and recording a time interval and also for mechanically resetting the time wheels and for actuating an index wheel and indicator.

The apparatus is capable of very general application but is particularly useful in measuring and recording the time intervals in a series of tests or observations.

An illustration of such use is in relation to testing the radio activity of a series of sample materials by timed exposure to a Geiger counter. When so used, the apparatus will record the length of each test to tenths of a second and will also record an index number for each successive test. At the end of each test, the time wheels are mechanically reset to zero, under either manual or automatic control, and preferably a zero reading is recorded.

It is the general object of our invention to provide improved apparatus for implementing the above defined purposes.

To the accomplishment of these general purposes, we have provided improved numbering mechanism and improved driving and control devices therefor. We have also provided improved mechanical reset mechanism and both manual and automatic control therefor. Our invention also involves an improved and simplified paper feed which is definitely related to the actuation of the impression hammer.

Our invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of our improved apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a right-hand side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a right-hand sectional elevation, taken along the line 33 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a left-hand side elevation of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a front end elevation; and

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram.

Our improved apparatus includes time wheel mechanism T (Fig. 1), feed mechanism F, reset mechanism R, index feeding mechanism D, hammer operating mechanism H (Fig. 2), holding relay mechanism K, paper feed mechanism P,

and ribbon feed mechanism Q (Fig. 4).. A continuously rotating synchronous motor M (Fig. 4) provides power for the whole apparatus.

The apparatus in general is mounted on a sheet metal supporting frame comprising side plates 2 29 and 2] (Fig. 1) held in spaced relation by cross rods 22 (Fig. 3). The side plates are bolted to a bottom plate 24 (Fig. 2) and rubber cushions 25 absorb vibration. A front plate 26 (Fig. 2) is secured to the bottom plate 24 by screws 21 and brackets 28.

The front plate 26 (Fig. 5) supports an escutcheon covering an index dial 30 and index hand 3 l, and said front plate is provided with a frame 32 surrounding the paper delivery chute to be described. The plate 26 also supports a manual reset button 33, a manual index button 34, a power switch 35, and a switch 36 by which the apparatus may be shifted from manual to automatic control.

General operation The motor M runs continuously and drives a ratchet wheel 40 (Fig. 3) at relatively high speed and a ratchet wheel 4| at relatively low speed.

A solenoid S withdraws a lock lever 42 and allows a feed pawl 43 to engage the ratchet wheel 46 and to be rotated thereby to advance the time wheels in the timing mechanism T one space for each rotation of the ratchet wheel 40.

A second solenoid S2 withdraws a lock lever 45 and allows a reset pawl 46 (Fig. 3) to engage the ratchet wheel 41 and to thereby cause the reset mechanism R to operate at the end of a test. A third solenoid S3 (Fig. 2) feeds the index wheel 46a (Fig. 1) one space for each operation of the solenoid S3.

A fourth solenoid S4 (Fig. 3) operates the hammer mechanism H and swings the hammer 50, the paper tape 5!, and ink ribbon 52 against the time wheels in the timing mechanism T. On the return stroke of the hammer 50, the paper tape 54 is fed forward one space. The ribbon feed mechanism Q is also actuated from the plunger 53 of the solenoid S4. A second and consecutive movement of the hammer and associated parts is prevented by the holding relay mechanism K (Figs. 1 and 4).

Time wheel mechanism T The details of construction of the time wheel mechanism T are best shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Five time wheels 55 are provided, each numbered 1 to 9-1 to 9, and one time wheel 56 is numbered .1 to .9--.1 to .9. These time wheels are each. rotatable clockwise as viewed in Fig. 3 on the reset shaft 5'1.

Each time wheel also has a pawl 58 movable into a slot 59 in the hub 66 of the time wheel and normally seated in a longitudinal groove 6| in the 3 reset shaft by a spring 58a. As the time wheels are fed clockwise, the pawls 58 are moved away from the groove 6|.

Each time wheel 55 or 56 has a feed plate 652 with two sets of ten teeth and with two deep notches 64. A series of pawls 65 are pivoted at 66 on a rocker 6'! which is intermittently oscillated by a feed link 68. The pawls t5 are spirally arranged and each pawl holds the next pawl raised and inoperative until the first-named pawl enters one of the deep notches 54. Holding pawls H! are pivoted in a fixed comb H and are moved to holding position by springs :52.

Indexing mechanism D The index wheel 45 (Fig. l) is also loosely mounted on the reset shaft El and is numbered 1 to 25. The wheel it has a gear 76 engaged by a gear ll on an index shaft '18. A ratchet wheel 79 (Fig. 2) on the shaft E8 is engaged by a feed pawl 88 pivoted on the plunger 8! of the index solenoid S3. The plunger 81 is moved to the left in Fig. 2 and withdrawsthe pawl til when the solenoid S3 is energized.

A spring 82 returns the plunger 81 and pawl 8t and feeds the ratchet wheel it one space. A yieldingly mounted holding pawl 83 prevents return movement of the ratchet wheel. A guide plate 84 positions the pawl 853.

' The'index shaft 78 is connected by bevel gears 85 to a countershaft 3'6 which is connected to rotate the index finger 3! through a train of gears 81. The solenoid S3 is energized by pressing the index button 34 or may be operated automatically at the start of each test.

I by the continuously rotating synchronous motor M, which drives a power shaft 90 (Figs. 1 and 3) through any suitable reduction gearing G (Figs. 1 and 4). A suitable capacitor X (Fig. l) is supplied fOr the motor M.

The power. shaft 95 supports and rotates the ratchet wheel 40 previously described. A disc BI is. loosely mounted on the shaft 96 adjacent the ratchet wheel 46 and carries the pawl Q3 and also a crank-pin 92 for the link 63. The disc Si is normally held from rotation by the lock lever 42, which also holds the feed pawl 43 away from the rotating ratchet wheel 49.

The lock lever 42 has a fixed pivot 93 (Fig. 3) and is connected by a link as to the plunger Q5 of the solenoid S. When the solenoid S is energized and withdraws the lock lever 42, the dis-c 9i and pawl 43 are released and the pawl 43 is moved by a spring 96 to engage the ratchet wheel 40 and to be advanced thereby.

The rocker 61 is given one full oscillation for each rotation of the pawl 43 and crank disc SI and advances the first or decimal time wheel one space. The gear ratio is such that each full oscillation takes of a second. This intermittent feed of the time wheels will continue as long as the circuit controlling the solenoid S remains closed.

When the solenoid S is de-energized, the lock lever 42 disengages the pawl 43 and again locks the disc 9|.

Reset mechanism R Special provision is made for resetting the time wheel mechanism '1. For this purpose, a pinion I90; (Fig. 3) on the power shaft this connected through gears till to N to a shaft I66 which supports and rotates the reset ratchet wheel M. The lock lever 45 is connected to the plunger I01 of the solenoid S2 by a link N38. The lock lever 45 has a fixed pivot Hi9.

Each time the reset solenoid S2 is energized, the lock. lever iii is withdrawn, the disc H0 and the reset pawl 45 mounted thereon are released, the pawl it engages the ratchet wheel 4i, and the shaft we makes one full revolution.

The shaft I is connected by bevel gears III (Fig. l) to a countershaft H2 which in turn is connected by bevel gears I 13 (Fig. 2) to the reset shaft El. The shaft 51 is thus given a full revolution at each reset operation.

The rear shoulder of the groove til in the reset shaft Bl, progressively engages the several pawls 58 and returns each time wheel to zero position. The solenoid S2 may be either manually or automatically controlled.

Hammer mechanism H The hammer 51 (Fig. 3) is fixed to a hammer lever I29 which is mounted on a hammer shaft iZI which loosely supports two paper feed rolls i22. A rounded lower surface of the lever I20 rests on the plunger 53, of hammer solenoid S4. When the solenoid is energized, the plunger 53 rises and the hammer 5,53 strikes a single blow. A second consecutive blow is prevented byarelay mechanism K to be described.

Paper feed mechanism F Each feed roll I22 has a ratchet wheel I24 (Figs. 1 and 2) fixed thereto and has a holding pawl I25 coacting therewith. The hammer shaft I.2I has an arm I26 supporting a feed pawl In for each ratchet wheel I24. Each pawl has a spring I23 (Fig. 2). Each time the hammer israised, the feed pawls move back one tooth. On the re,- turn or downward swing, the feed rolls. are advanced to feed the paper tape 5|. The return movement of the hammer is by gravity.

A pressure. roll 30 (Fig. 2) is pivoted in. arms i3l fixed on a shaft I32. An arm I33,fixed on the outer end of the shaft I32 istensioned by a spring I34. A stud I35 (Fig. 1) may be used to manually relieve the pressure when renewingthe p p r supp y- The paper tape 5| (Figs. 1 and 2) is drawn from a roll 5Ia mounted on a fixed stud I36, and the roll is held thereon by a disc I3! having a yieldingly engaged hub or knob I358.

The tape 5| is delivered forward to the contracted inner end of a flaring chute I40. (Figs. 2 and 5) which is aligned with the open frame 32. The paper tape 5i passes under a cross bar MI and may be torn oiT over the serrated edge I42 of the bottom member of the chute I40;

The flaring chute permits; the printed record to be inspected as soon-asthe record is advanced into the chute.

Ribbon mechanism Q,

The ink ribbon 52 is.fed between spools I45 and M6 (Fig. 3) mounted on short arbors I4'Iand I48 (Fig. 4) having ratchetwheels I49and ISO-(Fig. 4). Springs I5! (Fig. 1) apply friction to the spools I45 and I45 and spring plungers I52 support the opposite ends of the spools. The ribbon 52 is drawn over fixed guide members I53 (Fig. 3); adjacent the printing. point.

The ribbon feed is operatedby a forkedlever 15b (Fig. 3) embracinga collar Iiil on the plunger .5 3 of thehammer solenoid S4. The. lever I60 is fast on a rock shaft I63 (Fig.4) having an arm 164 connected by an adjustable link I65 with the lower end of a lever 66 pivoted at 161.

The upper end of the lever IE6 is connected by a link I68 to an arm H39 integral with a rock plate H8. Feed pawls Ill and I72 are mounted on pivoted arms I13 and 114 connected by a link H5. The link 515 has a lug I76 adapted to be positioned at either the left or the right of a pin Ill in a spring-actuated lock lever H8. The link H5 has a lug l8!) by which the pawl assembly can be manually shifted to render either pawl I'H or H2 selectively operative to feed the ribbon in either direction. This ribbon shift mechanism is similar to that shown in Deane Patent No. 2,122,518.

Hammer relay K The hammer relay mechanism K (Figs. 1 and 4) is provided to prevent a second consecutive hammer blow by rebound on a single closing of the circuit for the hammer solenoid S4 (Fig. 3).

The relay mechanism K comprises a solenoid S5 having a plunger 18 2 which engages and lifts a double contact member I83 inserted in the hammer solenoid circuit. The solenoid S5 (Fig. 4) is in a shunt circuit and remains closed after the hammer solenoid circuit is broken.

The solenoids S4 and S5 are parallel and are energized at the same time but the solenoid S4 acts more promptly than the solenoid S5. For a more complete description, reference is made to Ruttiman Patent #2330387.

Shift relay It is essential that the type wheel feed be stopped and that the record be printed instantly at the end of a test or run. For this purpose, a shift relay I50 (Figs. 1 and 2) is provided which comprises essentially a single-pole, double-throw contact member which in normal position closes a gap in the time-feed circuit but in raised position opens the time-feed circuit and closes the hammer-solenoid circuit.

This shift relay is very quick-acting and the record is printed on the fly and without waiting for a feeding movement to be completed. The hammer 59 (Fig. 2) is made wide enough to print from two adjacent type wheels if neither is in exact printing position. Less than of a second can thus be read or estimated on the record.

Wiring system In Fig. 6, we have shown a diagram of wirin connections by which our improved apparatus may be operated and controlled.

Line wires L and L supply current to plates AI and A2 in a terminal block A. These terminals Al and A2 are connected by wires 20!! and 253i to the main power switch 35 and then through wires 202 and 203, fuses 204 and 205, and wires 2% and 201 to terminal plates BI and B2 on a terminal block B.

The motor M is connected directly to the plate 132 and through the capacitator X to the plate BI and thus runs continuously when the switch 35 is closed.

The index solenoid S3 is connected through the push-button 34 and wires 2H] and 2 to the power wires 2'36 and 201. One or more additional push-buttons 34a may be connected in parallel with push-button 34 by wires 212 and 2l3 for remote index control.

The reset solenoid S2 is connected by the wire 214 to the line terminal plate B2, and through the wires 2l5 and 2I6 to the reset push-button 33 and thence through wire 2|! to the fuse 204 'on the other side of the line. One or more additional push-buttons 33a may be connected in parallel with push-button 33 by wires H2 and 2|8 for remote control.

The time type wheel feed solenoid S is connected on one side through a wire 22!) to the terminal plate B2. The other side of the solenoid S is connected through wire 22! to one terminal of a single pole double throw switch 222 forming the operating part of the shift relay 190 previously described. The switch 222 has a spring 223 and a solenoid 224. The switch is connected through a wire 225 to the terminal plate BI.

The hammer solenoid S4 is connected by a wire 23!) to the terminal plate B2 and by wire 23! to relay device K and thence through wire 232 to the upper terminal of switch 222. When the switch is raised, the hammer circuit is completed through the wire 225 and terminal plate Hammer relay solenoid S5 is connected to terminal plate B2 by wire 234 and by wire 235 to wire 232 previously named. Solenoid S5 is thus in parallel to solenoid S4 but is not connected through relay device K. As stated, S5 acts more slowly than S4 but remains energized after the hammer solenoid circuit is broken by relay device K.

The time-print control solenoid 224 is connected by wires 240 and HI to plates A1 and A8 in terminal block A. When type wheel feed is to start, the circuit of solenoid 224 is energized through any suitable control device Q2, (Fig. 6) which may be manually closed, and the timefeed solenoid S is energized for the interval to be timed. The circuit is broken at the end of the test or other interval to be measured, whereupon the spring 223 breaks the time-feed circuit and closes the hammer circuit. The time is then printed exactly at the end of the time interval and without perceptible delay.

Push-button 3'! gives manual control of the hammer mechanism, so that a record may be printed at any time. Push-button 36 will start the time-feed manually whenever needed and for as long as desired.

Having described the construction and operation of a preferred form of our invention, it will be clear that we have provided an improved timing and recording apparatus, together with indexing and resetting mechanism, and that our improved apparatus is adapted for use for many diiferent purposes and in many applications.

The shift-relay and associated structure which selectively controls the hammer operating means in predetermined relation to the feed of the time wheels is not claimed herein but forms the subject matter of a divisional application filed by us on December 13, 1951, Serial No. 261,552.

Having thus described our invention and the advantages thereof, we do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what we claim is:

1. In a timing apparatus, a set of time wheels, a continuously operated motor, a ratchet wheel continuously rotated thereby, a disc loosely mounted concentric with said ratchet wheel and connected to advance said time wheels and supporting a feed pawl, operating connections from said disc to said time wheels, a lock lever for said disc and feed pawl which normally holds said disc stationary and said feed pawl inoperative, and control means efiective to withdraw said lock lever for the time interval to be measured 7 to unlock. said disc and to simultaneously release said pawl for engagement with said ratchet Wheel.

2. The combination in a timing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which each complete rotation of said disc advances the first time wheel one unit-space.

3. The combination in a timing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, which comprises motordriven means to reset the time wheels inzero position, and said means including a continuously rotated ratchet wheel and a pawl rotatably mounted and engaging said wheel when said pawl is released.

4. In a timing apparatus, a set of time wheels, a continuously operated motor, acontinuously and relatively rapidly rotated ratchet wheel driven by said motor and which may be connected to feed said time wheels, a continuously and relatively slowly rotated ratchet wheel driven 2 by said motor and which may be connected to reset saidtime wheels,v and selective means to 8 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

. UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 420,852 Wood Feb. 4, 1890 825,451 Gallagher July 10, 1906 1,553,809 Everett Sept. 15, 1925 1,846,352 Ohmer et a1 Feb. 23, 1932 1,963,290 Brondello June 19, 1934 1,965,969 Sturtevant July 10, 1934 2,153,185 Harrison Apr. 4, 1939 2,219,636 Schwartz 1 Oct. 29, 1940 2,246,538 Rezsny June 24, 1941 2,251,792 Hazard Aug. 5, 1941 2,291,135 Avery July 28, 1942 2,298,343 Bugg Oct. 13, 1942 2,313,189 Wyeth Mar. 9, 1943 2,362,392 Molden et al Nov. 7, 1944 2,447,803 Hobby Aug. 24, 1948 2,494,955 Mayer et al. Jan. 17, 1950 2,544,610 Nelson Mar. 6, 1951 2,568,523 Thomas Sept. 18, 1951 

